Schubert: Ave Maria, D839 (Ellens Gesang III, Op. 52 No. 6)

Daniel Taylor is one of the world’s most sought after countertenors in the world and appears on over 100 recordings. Having made his debut at Glyndebourne, he followed it by participating in Jonathan Miller’s production of Handel’s Rodelinda.

In this latest release from Canadian label Analekta, Daniel performs a disc of ‘Ave Maria’s’ written by Caccini, Schubert, Byrd, von Bingen, Monteverdi and others, so provides a definitive disc of this repertoire performed by a world class singer.

It is one of the oldest boys' choirs in the world, and even after now 500 years, the Vienna Boys' Choir is still a living tradition. This 2 CD set presents a selection of world famous Christmas songs alongside highlights from Handel’s Messiah.

A new and exquisite collection of German songs from counter-tenor Andreas Scholl, providing a perfect balance between text and music. The choice of music reflects Scholl’s belief that music need not be confined in performance to a particular voice type, as long as “the singer’s approach is true.”

Scholl pulls off a bravura display in Schubert’s An Mignon, singing in both the counter-tenor and baritone register. The performance of these songs reveals an intuitive understanding between singer and accompanist, Andreas Scholl and Tamar Halperin.

Decca Records/Universal Music brings you the ‘Voice from Assisi’: Friar Alessandro.

Alessandro Brustenghi – from the original friary founded by Saint Francis of Assisi, the Porziuncola in Assisi – made the headlines earlier this year when he became the first Friar in the history of music to land a major record deal. The legendary Mike Hedges (U2, The Cure, Manic Street Preachers) and his manager discovered Alessandro whilst in Italy, after years of searching for “the next Italian Tenor”.

Friar Alessandro has been singing all his life. Although music was always his passion, Alessandro received his ‘calling’ as a teenager, and at the age of 21 decided to become a friar. Mike Hedges made the record at the famous Abbey Road Studios, and when Friar Alessandro flew over for the sessions it was the first time he had ever been on a plane.

The album is a heavenly mix of traditional and modern sacred songs, including an original track by Royal Wedding and Christmas No.1 composer Paul Mealor, set to a prayer written by St Francis of Assisi, "Le Lodi Dio Altissimo". Also on the album is a song written by ‘60s singer-songwriter Donovon, "Fratello Sole, Sorella Luna", from the famous biopic of St Francis (called Brother Sun, Sister Moon), as well as a recently discovered sacred area by the Italian composer Vincenzo Bellini (who died in 1835), "Tantum Ergo Sacramentum", here recorded for the first time.

To complete the collection are enchanting versions of "The Lord’s Prayer (Pater Noster)", Schubert’s "Ave Maria", the popular Sancta Maria from Cavalleria Rusticana as well as the nation’s favourite hymn, "Make Me a Channel of Your Peace" – another prayer attributed to St Francis of Assisi. By day, the Friar works in the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli, welcoming many of the six million visitors to Assisi every year. In his spare time he works as a carpenter, restoring furniture and making wooden lecterns. Having taken a personal vow of poverty, Friar Alessandro will not accept any money from sales of his album and his day to day life will not change. Proceeds will go directly to the Order of Friars Minor for its charitable work.

For a half-century he had the reputation of the trumpet soloist: Maurice André, who died in 2012. The best examples of his radiant tone are the recordings he made with different organists – a brilliant stroll through the golden world of Baroque music.

The Art of Renée Fleming brings together 18 defining tracks spanning Renée’s finest Decca recordings, including favorite arias by Puccini, Handel and Gershwin and duets with Bryn Terfel and Plácido Domingo. Four special bonus tracks reflect Renée’s prominence beyond classical repertoire with two Broadway classics, Amazing Grace - which she memorably sang at the site of the World Trade Centre and a brand new version of Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah.

Norwegian tuba player Øystein Baadsvik, with the Trondheim Symphony Orchestra under Torodd Wigum, and Cantus Women’s Choir here present an unique disc.

The programme consists of lavish arrangements of international and Nordic Christmas favourites, with a few surprises included,

On a previous disc from Baadsvik for BIS, The Daily Telegraph wrote "that anything a violin can do, a tuba can do too"

Tasmin Little’s formidable technical ability and gift for interpretation are unmistakable in this collection of showpieces. Displaying her brilliant virtuosity and captivating lyricism, and including her own witty Tchaikovskiana, written in collaboration with John Lenehan, these works highlight Little’s breathtaking skill as a performer.

Compelling for her intensity and integrity as much as for her unmistakeable voice, Dame Janet Baker struck a distinctive path as a performer, primarily on the concert and recital stage. Among her most celebrated recordings are her interpretations of Elgar with Sir John Barbirolli, here complemented by songs and oratorio arias by composers such as Bach, Handel, Schubert, Schumann, Brahms, Mahler, Strauss, Fauré, Vaughan Williams and Britten.